Fulham walk away from Thatcher deal

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FULHAM have failed in their attempt to sign Ben Thatcher, the Manchester City left back. Although the 29-year-old underwent a medical at Craven Cottage last week, negotiations over a fee collapsed yesterday.

“The player will not be joining Fulham,” a City spokesman said. Thatcher’s family have failed to settle in the North West and the former Tottenham Hotspur player has been seeking a transfer.

The news was better for Fulham when Edwin van der Sar, the Holland goalkeeper, signed a contract until 2006. The 34-year-old joined the club in 2001, but with his contract expiring this summer, Fulham feared that he might be tempted to leave. Several clubs had expressed an interest, including Levante, of Spain.

Nigel Martyn, 38, the Everton goalkeeper, has signed a one-year extension to his contract.